Court of Appeal Refuses Bail Pending Appeal for Former AMMC Finance Director Convicted of Diverting ₦319m

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has dismissed an application for bail pending appeal filed by Garba Dukku, former Director of Finance and Administration of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration. Dukku is currently serving a 24‑year custodial sentence imposed by the Federal High Court for offences relating to corruption and money laundering.

Dukku had sought bail while awaiting the determination of his appeal against the judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/608/2022. However, the appellate court held that he failed to demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” that would justify bail pending appeal. Instead, the court ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive appeal to ensure expeditious resolution.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which prosecuted the matter, proved at trial that between 2012 and 2013 Dukku diverted ₦318.25 million belonging to AMMC into his personal Fidelity Bank account in multiple tranches. The funds—transferred in sums of ₦56.25m, ₦71m, ₦53m, ₦54m, ₦46m, and ₦36.3m—were subsequently moved to Bureau de Change operators for unauthorised purposes.

Although Dukku claimed the monies were handed over to his superiors, the trial court rejected the defence, finding no credible evidence to support the assertion. Justice Omotosho convicted him on six counts and sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment on each count, amounting to a cumulative 24 years. The court also imposed fines equivalent to five times the amount involved in each count, totalling approximately ₦1.6 billion.

Reacting to the appellate court’s ruling, ICPC spokesman John Odeh described the decision as a reaffirmation of the principle that bail pending appeal is only granted in exceptional and compelling circumstances. The Commission reiterated its commitment to diligent prosecution of corruption cases and safeguarding public resources from misappropriation.

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